The 5 mm I added onto the bar yesterday was enough to give me the 2 mm I still needed on axle spacing. So in the end, I only needed a displacement of 150 mm to expand the spacing of the dropouts from 130 to 135.
Well, I did say that the relationship between stress and strain is actually slightly curved at this point, so it just shows that this modification is well worth doing in small increments to avoid a potential disaster. I think this is exactly why all the bike websites (e.g. Sheldon) only advocate going up one axle size.
Anyway, the NDS dropout is very nearly straight (likely it will straighten itself over time now anyway as I ride), and the wheel just popped into the dropouts like a dream. One very happy (and relieved) girl here. I think this looks mighty fine, don't you?
So I put both wheels on the bike, tipped it the right side up and got the brake pads in a better (but not final) position. Max is starting to look like a real bike again.
Sorry for the cluttered background, it's been pishing with rain here all day, so I stayed in the garage.
At this point, I realised that the rear reflector was about as useful as the proverbial chocolate teapot, as it is near enough completely obscured by the rear wheel. That's got nothing to do with the new wheels and tyres - looking back at the original pics of the bike from when I brought it home, it's clear that was always the case. So I removed both reflectors from the bike and put them to one side. I may stick the front one back on, we'll see, but for the rear, I'll probably get some red reflective tape and put a couple of bands of that on each seat stay instead.
What I also did was fit the el-cheapo £5 mudguards from Wilkinsons on that were on the Emmelle. With a bit of jiggery pokery, they went on OK, though how effective they are remains to be seen. My view is that it doesn't cost me to try. If they work well, then the job's a good 'un, but if my feet and derriere get wet and muddy, then's the time to look for something better.
I'm really chuffed with how this is coming out. Have pretty well much decided to go for everything black e.g. bars, seat post, bottle cage, crankset etc. This will be a really eye-catching bike when it's done.
Next step is to make a decision on the number of sprockets on the rear and do a spot of maths. As mentioned upthread, I'm looking to end up with something similar to the range on the hybrid; it'll give me what I want on the flat, and also have some granny gears in hand if I decide to do an away day somewhere a bit less flat.
Took the bar off, and the spacing is now 132.5
